The 10 Best Bathtub Wall Surrounds

Editor's Notes

May 29, 2020:

Ceramic tiling has been the long-preferred method of creating watertight, easy to clean wall surfaces in bathrooms and showering spaces. However, there is no denying that this can be a costly and time-consuming process. A wall surround kit can create the same level of functionality for a fraction of the time and cost, and can be undertaken by anyone with moderate DIY skills as they are simply stuck to the wall with adhesive. They are available in a range of designs and colors and often feature an embossed tile-like pattern, making them hard to distinguish from the real thing.

As with anything, the material it is made from dictates its durability and price range. When it comes to wall panels, the cheapest options, such as the Mustee 670WHT, the DreamLine Qwall, and the Sterling Accord, are made from acrylic or fiberglass. These are still hardwearing options, but it is quite obvious that they are not real tiles. Other options like the Sterling 71104100-0, the Swanstone Veritek, the Transolid Carrara and the Transolid Saramar, experiment with modern polymers and composites that offer greater durability and have a more realistic appearance.

The latest trends in bathroom design are moving away from traditional materials, and a new wave of interesting and exciting products are being used to construct walls, sinks, bathtubs and floors. For a truly modern alternative, the Swanstone Bermuda Sand is made from a reinforced, modified acrylic filled with natural minerals. Similarly, the Kohler Choreograph is fabricated from crushed stone and fiber resin. Both produce a very unique finish that will stand out for its dissimilarity to traditional tiling.